The 2024-25 NHL regular season is right ahead of us, and it’s the perfect time to fire up some NHL player props futures bets.
Here’s a quintet of NHL picks featuring five faces in new places offering betting value ahead of the season.
Jake DeBrusk Over 48.5 points
The Vancouver Canucks shelled out $38.5 million to bring in Jake DeBrusk, and he’ll be a top-six staple while potentially logging career-high minutes. A role on the No. 1 power-play unit is in the cards, and it’s hard to argue with his projected even-strength gig flanking Elias Pettersson to start the season.
Jumping the boards with J.T. Miller isn’t a bad Plan B, either.
DeBrusk posted a healthy 54.0% Corsi For, 58.3 goals for percentage, and a 57.5% xGF at 5-on-5 over the past three years with the Boston Bruins, and he was only on the ice for a 7.8 team shooting percentage. For comparison, Vancouver posted a league-high 10.6% at 5-on-5 in 2023-24.
DeBrusk’s ability to drive possession will quickly win over head coach Rick Tocchet, and there’s untapped offensive upside, too. The 27-year-old winger was rarely positioned for success with the Bruins, and that couldn’t be further from the truth to start the 2024-25 campaign.
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Matvei Michkov Over 48.5 points
I’m going with a layup here, and there are going to be a handful of front offices disappointed they didn’t grab Russian Matvei Michkov in the 2023 NHL Draft.
The 19-year-old winger is coming off a 41-point showing across 47 games in the KHL, and Michkov oozes skill. His shooting ability is elite, and he also possesses the vision and creativity to pad the points column.
Considering the Philadelphia Flyers have finished 32nd in power-play percentage in three consecutive seasons, Michkov should also be a mainstay on the No. 1 unit while also receiving consistent even-strength minutes in a scoring role.
With the layups out of the way, here are a pair of longer shots to add to your card:
- Michkov to win the Calder Trophy (+350 at bet365)
- Michkov to lead rookies in points (+300 at bet365)
Jacob Markstrom Under 31.5 wins
Big things are expected from the New Jersey Devils this season. The offseason addition of Jacob Markstrom with Jake Allen also on the roster solidifies the crease, which has long been a sore spot for Devils fans.
The tandem is a primary reason expectations are so high, but it’s also the primary reason I’m eyeing this Under. Markstrom and Allen are going to be closer to a 50-50 timeshare than this total implies, and the 34-year-old Swede battled injuries last season while starting just 48 games.
There’s no questioning Markstrom’s ability, but I also expect the New Jersey brass to be focused on his availability this spring when the games matter most. I’m not anticipating him starting enough to reach 32 wins.
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Darcy Kuemper Over 23.0 wins
The Washington Capitals ranked 24th in CF%, GF%, and xGF% at 5-on-5 across Darcy Kuemper’s two seasons with the club, and his save percentage dipped to .902 after posting a .922 mark across 197 games the prior five years.
Landing with the Los Angeles Kings is perfect for Kuemper. He’s the clear No. 1, and he’ll benefit from playing behind an elite defensive team. The Kings surrendered the fourth-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 the past two seasons while also ranking fifth in CF%.
Kuemper is also no stranger to a big workload, with three seasons of 55 starts or more.
Anthony Stolarz Over 15.5 wins
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll has a lengthy injury history and has started just 34 NHL games across the past three seasons, with another 37 games played in the AHL. Simply put, he can’t stay healthy.
Enter Stanley Cup winner Anthony Stolarz.
Stolarz projects to be the Toronto No. 2 entering the season, but he was automatic for the Florida Panthers last year and is going to see his fair share of starts for the Leafs. The organization dished out $5 million over two years after Stolarz posted a .925 SV%, 2.03 GAA, and 0.60 goals saved above average per 60 minutes.
Even if Woll stays healthy, I’m expecting Stolarz to play his way into a near timeshare in the Toronto crease. Of course, if Woll misses a chunk of time, Stolarz will cruise to 20+ wins.
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